The 15 Year Old Phenom
How things began in American Samoa.
Once again, I’m writing this in the old Football Manager Stories style. This time I’m going to leave the screenshots out. If you want to experience more, please head over to my PanSa F.C. splash page, which I will update as often as I can. And, as always, you can find the latest matches on my YouTube page.
The 15 Year Old Phenom
Toa Maile is a bonafide wonderkid.
I know that it’s strange to say that. When you think of football in American Samoa, the word “wonderkid” usually doesn’t come to mind.
But it’s true. And I don’t care if the media agree with me or not.
Born in El Paso, Texas, Maile gave up a conventional mainland education to go back to the islands. Rather than falling for the common Polynesian trap of playing the line in American football, Maile has shown himself to be a man of real culture, playing the beautiful game with flair and technique rarely seen around these parts.
I’m happy he’s on our side.
The Fickle Youth
They tell me that Maile is a bit fickle. He seems to waiver from one opinion to the next, and has some problems with selfishness.
Frankly, I think the kid can be as selfish as he wants. With that kind of foot, I’ll fine him if he passes.
My illustrious career, consisting now of a grand total of 4 matches managing PanSa East F.C. here in American Samoa, has been a success due solely to the goal scoring prowess of that young phenom.
We’ve scored 19 goals in our 4 matches, including a massive 6-3 victory over Pago Youth, the team considered most likely by the media to win the FFAS Senior League this year. We also slipped by Ilaoa & To’omata, last year’s champions, by a slim 4-3 margin.
Maile has scored two hat tricks in those four matches, netting 7 goals in all. Yes, he’s that good.
He might be fickle — but, seriously, what 15-year-old has a good head on his shoulders? He might be selfish — but, honestly, I’d say he can afford to be a bit selfish. What matters is that he’s a goal scorer, and a natural born winner.
I just hope he can keep up the winning ways.
Youth Explosion
Actually, Maile might not be the best player on our squad.
Attacking midfielder Corey Nortey has also netted 7 goals in our 4 matches. The two teammates are neck-and-neck for the league scoring title.
And, yes, Nortey is also only 15 years old.
The real star, though, would have to be Afa Leatualevao. Also 15, Afa prefers playing in the left midfield, and is easily one of the most talented players on the squad. He is inconsistent, though, and doesn’t quite have the level of ambition that we’re looking for. Having said that, when he’s on, he’s on — and the defenses in this league simply don’t know what to do with him.
I don’t think I’ve given any game time to any of the players over 25 years old on this squad. And I don’t need to. We’re doing just fine with the kids.